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Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
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Published on: August 28, 2018

Lipoprotein (a) is independently correlated with coronary artery calcification

Martin Greif1, Thomas Arnoldt, Franz von Ziegler

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Klinikum Grosshadern, University Hospital of Munich, Germany.

European Journal of Internal Medicine
|October 2, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Elevated Lipoprotein (a) levels are linked to increased coronary artery calcification (CAC), a marker of atherosclerosis. This study confirms Lipoprotein (a) as an independent predictor of CAC, highlighting its role in cardiovascular risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a recognized risk factor for coronary heart disease and cardiovascular events.
  • Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a validated marker for coronary artery disease and cardiovascular risk.
  • Conflicting data exist regarding the relationship between Lp(a) and CAC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the influence of Lipoprotein (a) on Coronary Artery Calcification.
  • To clarify the association between Lp(a) serum levels and CAC.
  • To identify independent predictors of CAC.

Main Methods:

  • 1560 European patients with chest pain underwent CAC scoring via multi-slice CT.
  • Lp(a) serum levels were determined using an automated particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay.
  • Analysis included correlation and multivariate analysis to identify independent risk factors.

Main Results:

  • A positive correlation was found between Lp(a) serum levels and CAC scores.
  • Lp(a) was identified as an independent risk factor for CAC in multivariate analysis (p<0.001).
  • Age, diabetes, and statin therapy were also independent predictors of CAC; BMI, smoking, hypertension, and LDL-C were not.

Conclusions:

  • Lipoprotein (a) is an independent predictor of Coronary Artery Calcification.
  • Increasing Lp(a) levels correlate positively with higher CAC scores.
  • Lp(a) plays a significant role in coronary atherosclerosis progression.
Abstract

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